Seaweed

Is it still called seaweed if it comes from a lake? Once again mother nature creates magic with her palette.

Seaweed - Beach at Parc Île Bizard

Zen on the Beach

Took a walk on the wild side... well that is if can call the beach at Parc Île Bizard wild. People were watching myself taking photos and came up asking what I was seeing. Just told them to open their eyes and minds to everyday things... Enjoy!

Zen on the Beach

Lifeboat Revisited

Paul, a member in my photography club (Lakeshore Camera Club) suggested I try doing a "Colour Wash" on the Lifeboat photo posted yesterday. This was a new technique to me, but that is the beauty to being a member in a photography club. Members feed off each other for ideas. Thanks Paul!

Lifeboat - Colour Version

Lifeboat - Colour Wash Version

Lifeboat - B&W Version

Lifeboat

Came across this while in Old Montreal. For me, the chaotic nature of the ship is a contradiction to the feeling of safety of that of a lifeboat.

Lifeboat - Old Montreal

Who will kiss the frog?

If you kiss a frog will it turn into Prince Charming?

Prince Charming in waiting…

My New Pad

All creatures large and small need a pad. Do you see the new tenant?

My New Pad...

Not a Wise Guy but A Wise Tree

Let's start the week off with some wisdom... in the form of a wise tree. This one seems to be smiling. Do you see it?

A Wise Smiling Tree

Empire Avenue

Hey I am now part of the newest social media site called Empire Avenue. My ticker name is MP1.
Check it out and join the fun at

 www.empireavenue.com

EAVB_HFUPGBQQAY

Dragon Fly

Oh, the things we can observe while walking in the woods. As my friend Frank would say 10 steps forward brings you to a whole new world to discover. Have a great weekend and get out and smell the flowers!

Dragon Fly – Parc Île Bizard

Nature's Tranquility

The peaceful reflection in a lake is so simple but yet so powerful. How can we take this for granted for it is here today but could be gone tomorrow.

Nature's Tranquility – Parc Île Bizard

Lady Bug

Last weekend I ventured to Parc île Bizard with my friend Frank who is a photographer who marches to a different drum. The images he captures using new and old equipment is simply amazing. Thanks Frank for "bugging" me enough to try and capture these little critters.

Lady Bug

Nature's Colour Pallette

It was almost one year ago that The Lakeshore Camera Club (the photography club I belong to),  brought Freeman Paterson to Montreal for one week of seminars, workshops and exhibits. Freeman has an unique graphical approach to photography and composition. He also taught us to experiment and have fun… to venture out of your "comfort zone". Today's image is dedicated to Freeman Patterson.

Nature's Colour Pallette - Parc Île-Bizard

Camera Obscura - Park Bench

We go out and spend money on state of the art photography equipment and then spend more money on more equipment  try to make our pictures look old. Does anyone else see the irony in this?

This was taken yesterday at Parc Île Bizard using a Pin Hole Camera Obscura attachment. It is basically using your camera without a lens but a cover with a pin hole to let light in. When I did photography with film (in the olden days) I would build pin hole cameras out of toilet paper holders and shoe boxes and use photo enlarging paper as my film.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura

I would love to read your comments on this technique.

Park Benches – Camera Obscura

Shapes and Angles

If you were like me, geometry in high school seemed pretty useless, after all who cared about a right angle triangle or pythagoras' theorum? Well as we get older and wiser we can see all sorts of applications… ever try and build anything and not have to measure its length?

So my question to you is which version do you prefer… B&W or colour?

Shapes and Angles – Black & White Study

Shapes and Angles – Colour Study

Observing and Learning

Once again in Old Montreal, a display advertising an exhibit at the Science Center. Street photography is all about observing people reacting to their environment.

Observing and Learning

The Colour RED

Yesterday Hera Bell, a friend and accomplished Montreal Photographer posted on her daily blog

http://www.myphotoramblings.com/2010/08/photographing-with-color-red.html

the inspiring challenge of photographing red and black. Hera is one of the most talented photographers I have had the pleasure of meeting. Not only does she takes photographs but creates images that only exist in her creative mind.

Red Port Hole

The Rust Bucket

To some it may be a rust bucket... an eye sore but to others it is a study of shapes and emotions. Yes this is docked in the heart of Old Montreal.

The Rust Bucket

Big Fish

As mentioned in an earlier blog, I took part in the Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk. Our group, made up largely of members of the Lakeshore Camera Club ventured in and around Old Montreal. The following picture was my submission to the group. What do you think of it? Over the next week or so I will post more images from that fun filled days with my photo buddies.

BIG Fish

Cabbage

An everyday "boring" item such a cross section of a cabbage can become  a study in complex shapes and patterns. All we have to do is open our minds and imaginations.

Cabbage

Converse All Star

What looks simple is really an act of perfection. A simple product shot of a running shoe for Converse is an excersise in patience... getting the laces in just the right position, the angle of the shoe, etc… but in the end it looks simple… and that is a good thing!

The Walkers

Nope not seniors using "walkers" but folks captured (photographically speaking) in Old Montreal. While strolling around as part of the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk a few weekends ago, I found a vantage point that gave an unique perspective to the passing crowds. One must look for the unusual in the ordinary.

Our Fair City... Part 2

Montreal has so many vantage points from which to marvel at its beauty.

Downtown Montreal from Mount-Royal's Lookout

Our Fair City...

We live here, we play here... but do we really appreciate its beauty? Montreal is one beautiful city (even if I am a bit partial and biased). Over the next few days I will be focusing in on its commanding presence.

Old Montreal